We make use of note-taking in business, study, and other fields of life, and thanks to the expanding world of technology it becomes easier. Notes are an effective way of learning and retaining information. An efficient tool will make your note-taking task convenient and simple. You can easily take action from your notes, annotate them, refer to them over time, and simply share them with others.
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What is the most efficient note-taking method?
Many factors determine the efficiency of the note-taking method. For example, from an environmental point of view, digital notes are more substantial as less paper is consumed. While, for retaining and engraving the knowledge in mind, writing on paper is highly recommended and desirable.
How do you take notes effectively digitally?
However, a digital note-taking method is far easier and more convenient than the traditional method. You can record lectures, transcribe voice notes, convert speech to text, convert diagrams and drawings to text, and the possibilities are endless.
6 types of digital notes that you can take:
1. Outline Method:
This method is the most efficient and practical to use in taking digital notes. You write an outline of the lecture in the hierarchy in both deductive and inductive ways. But you need clear lecture material to prepare your notes and thus not suitable for live lectures.
2. Cornell Method:
In the Cornell method, you make two columns of cue and note and leave a single row beneath it where you can add relative points easily. This is one of the most popular note-taking methods in the world and can be used in several subjects easily.
3. The Boxing Method:
In this method, you break information into small boxes to take notes. This way, you can skim through your notes easily and retain what was the lecture about. This method is also used traditionally and you can learn it easily. It is associated with the mind-mapping method and is quite effective for students.
4. Charting:
The charting method is used to classify information in rows and columns. This method is hard to learn and you cannot implement it in live lectures. Students use this method in subjects that deal with lots of statistics and facts.
5. Mapping:
This note-taking method is highly acclaimed as Einstein and Leonardo Da Vinci used it. It is the best method for visual learners and involves making a map of information. The main topic comes in the center, then subtopics branch out of it and make a mind map.
Unfortunately, it is hard to learn and cannot use when attending live lectures or long lectures. However, it makes review easier and helps maximize attention.
6. Sentence Note-Taking Method:
It is easy to learn and widely used by the students. Students use this method for almost any subject however, sentence note-taking results in copious notes, difficult to understand or review.
You should also have a fast writing speed or typing speed to transcribe whatever is being said. Ensure you edit them afterward and cut irrelevant parts later on for final output. You cannot rely on the first draft as your notes.
What are some technology tools for note-taking?
Taking notes is extremely important for the students. Several tools help you take notes on the fly and effectively understand your lectures.
5 most useful apps for note-taking:
Below, we discuss the 5 most useful apps for note-taking.
1. OneNote: OneNote is a Microsoft cloud-based note-taking tool that is efficient and easy to use. OneNote works across all platforms and you can take notes via voice recordings, video recording, make documents or save web pages conveniently. It seamlessly connects all of your devices and you can access your data anywhere, anytime you want.
2. Call Recorder: This call recording app for iPhone is the best for note-taking also. If you are still wondering why its callrecording feature lets you transcribe the entire call without any hassle. Moreover, you can save digital notes in separate folders to classify different subjects and topics and manages the data easily. You can also share the files easily to any network hassle-free.
3. EverNote: EverNote is decades old and is getting better day by day. You can easily take your notes in EverNote, create separate folders, and share and access across your devices with easy streamlining.
You can video record lectures, record voice, or simply transcribe what is being said in the class. The only downside with EverNote is that is expensive for students.
4. Livescribe Pen (for Accessibility): It is best for disabled students as it is equipped with an infrared camera. The built-in camera records everything the students write and help them make effective notes during class. It also converts handwritten notes into digital form and incorporates the teacher’s lecture in the notes so that the students don’t miss anything.
Livescribe Pen is helping many students to maximize their learning experience and don’t let their disabilities hinder their studies.
5. Sonocent: It is a new tool in the market and already making waves with its outstanding features. It treats your audio lectures as written notes, meaning you can easily mark audios and divide them into relevant sections. Apart from that, it breaks the information into tiny bits to help students retain information.
Moreover, you can add text, slides, and diagrams alongside your audio notes to enhance the learning and complete the process. You can save your notes in multiple formats and share them across all platforms within seconds.
Conclusion:
These are five of the many tools to enhance your study experience. Pick one that suits your study style and make effective notes to pass this semester with flying colors.
